What is Kewpie Mayonnaise?

Kewpie mayonnaise was prominently mentioned in Wednesday's Times Dining section article on MSG and its ubiquitous presence in processed foods. We only knew Kewpies as those eerily big-eyed dolls - what was this mayonnaise?

According to Kewpie's official website, mayonnaise was first introduced to Japan in 1925. Since then, Kewpie mayo has been one of the predominant household condiments there. People often use it on vegetables and as a salad dressing.

When we wrote about Hellmann's vs. homemade mayonnaise several of you chimed in to say that you preferred Kewpie to either of the above. (Check out that post, too - see proof that Hellmann's has indeed changed their classic formula!)

Kewpie is a smoother, creamer mayonnaise, and it's made with rice vinegar rather than distilled vinegar. Its popularity in Japan really can't be overestimated. Wikipedia says that people who are known to really like mayonnaise are apt to be called mayora by their friends!